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tool & supply checklist

What I use to get the job done…

Tools

glues: wood glue, glue gun, & wallpaper/floor glue

saws: most folks use a dremmel to make cuts, I prefer a small cordless circular saw because it’s faster for all my cutting (even windows & door). I save the dremmel for tiny corners & tidying up rough edges. I also have a mini mitre hand saw for trim & woodwork.

drill: useful for making wiring holes & more

rulers: I use a L square plus a small standard school ruler (both metal with cork on the bottom to help keep slippage to a minimum)

xacto knife

pencils pencils pencils

stains & finishes: I like the Minwax Polyshades: they combine stain & finish & can be bought in small cans in a large range of colours.

paints: I use acrylics for most furniture & trim

primer: definitely a must-need for providing a base for the wallpapers & flooring. I didn’t use it on my other house, & my wallpaper peeled in no time

lighting: yeah baby – most rooms need at least 2 lights. If you add a fireplace, add wiring for a fireplace insert (coal or flame). This really adds to the ambience. I use a combination of ceiling lights, sconces, & table lamps in my rooms. Usually about 2-3 lights plus a fireplace ember/flame does the trick.

architectural details: stairs & railings (you can get these premade inexpensively on eBay if you don’t want to do it yourself), crown molding & baseboards, wainsoting (optional, but you can use wood plank flooring as well), door/window casings (most doors comes with trim, but if you want to go beyond the average, add some rosebud corners & plinths at the base), window inserts: stained glass or leaded glass that can be cut to fit, door knobs (there is a lot of variety out there: have a look on eBay), fireplaces (my favourite!)